GB2232642A

GB2232642A - Tubular construction element particularly for floating craft

Info

Publication number: GB2232642A
Application number: GB9000433A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Anthony E P Monson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-01-10
Filing date: 1990-01-09
Publication date: 1990-12-19
Also published as: GB8900433D0; GB9000433D0

Abstract

A light-weight tubular construction element comprises materials such as glass fibre and plywood. The elements may be assembled into framework for a floating craft by the use of connecting units a. . . d and a shell f secured thereover. Alternatively the elements may be used for furniture manufacture. <IMAGE>

Description

FLOATING CRAFT CONSTRUCTION The content of this document schould be read in conjunction with the patent application 8900433.7 of January 10th 1989 and refers to the sections contained therein.

The construcution is ideal for craft of 2 to 20 metres, although the design is suitable for craft both smaller or larger.

1.1 TUBULAR COBSTRUCTION MATERIAL The TUBULAR CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL may be both hollow and or of solid nature and of cross sections other than the triangular section indicated in the example under the heading construction CONSTRUCT ION Is an example of a suitable 'Tubular construction material' and is not the only material that may be applied to the method of floating craft construction.

4.0 XONO HULL APPLICATIONS The 'skin' f may be fabricated as indicated in figure 6 'convex' or may be of concave form ; regular or otherwise. In the working example it is of flat cross section as indicated in fig 6ii Figures 7ii a 7iii and Figures 8ii & 8iii indicate other variations of many possible structures using the primary and secondary structural design principles.

5.0 MULTI HULL APPLICATIONS Figures 9, 10 & 11 indicate the section, elevation and plan of a possible multihull configuration , although other configurations are possible.

Also a combination of the mono hull and multi hull application designs may be configured to acheive higher standards of performance.

6.0 PRIMARY & SECONDARY STRUCTURAL ATTATCHXEXT An example of a method for connecting the construction tubes is to use 'Node Connecting Units'; which comprise of tube sleaves that are connected together at the correct angles at the node points of the structure as indicated in figure 12.

INDEX OF DRAWINGS Figure 1 View of tubular construction material Figure 2 Cross section of tubular construction material indicating the method of connecting the vertices Figure 3 View of tubular construction indicating the attatchment of glass fibre and resin Figure 4 Cross section of tubular construction material indicating a method of construction Figure 5 Cross section of the principal construction tubes Figure 6 Cross section indicating the attatchment of the bottom 'skin' of a mono hull craft Figure 6ii Cross section indicating another attatchment of the bottom 'skin' of a mon hull craft Figure 7 Side elevation indicating the position of the primary and secondary construction tubes Figure 7ii Another configuration of figure 7 Figure 7iii Another configuration of figure 7 Figure 8 Plan indicating the position of the primary and secondary construction tubes Figure 8ii Another configuration of figure 8 Figure 8iii Another configuration of figure 8 Figure 9 Cross section of a multi hull application Figure 10 Side elevation of a multi hull application Figure 11 Plan of a multi hull application Figure 12 Node connection units THE FOLLOWING IS THE TEXT AND DRAWINGS OF APPLICATION GB8900433 FLOATING CRAFT CONSTRUCTION A light1 strong, rigid tubular construction for floating craft of single or multi-hull construction of length 2 to 20 metres.

1.0 CONSTRUCTION ELEMENTS Which are referred to as construction tubes. These construction tubes may be constructed as described in TUBULAR CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL or be fabricated from other light & BR< strong load bearing material.

1.1 TUBULAR CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL A light, strong, flexible material with properties ideal for constructing buoyant craft (although, may be used for other purposes).

CONSTRUCTION SHAPE: The basic shape of the construction unit is of triangular cross section - figure 1.

MATERIAL: The material is plywood with glass fibre tape & BR< resin, used to attach the vertices of the triangular cross sections - figure 2.

STRENGTH: The strength of the construction may be increased by one or any of the following methods: a) Increasing the rigidity of the corners with an internal and or external metal or other strip.

b) Covering the external surface with glass fibre and resin (as many layers as required) - figure 3.

c) Adding thickness to the plywood corners by: i Using greater thickness of plywood.

ii A plywood sandwich with glass fibre & resin between the layers.

d) Attaching a plywood triangular cross section "tube" to the construction, producing two or more tubes, one inside the other, with a plywood - glass fibre & BR< resin - plywood - fibre glass and resin wall construction - figure 4.

e) Adding a cavity filling material i.e. expanding foam.

2.0 PRIMARY STRUCTURAL DESIGN Contains 3 construction tubes or simular a, b & c, which are positioned as indicated in the general cross section figure 6.

These construction tubes are held in position by other construction tubes e, as indicated also in figure 6.

3.0 SECONDARY STRUCTURAL DESIGN The primary structure is strengthened by adding one or more construction tubes d, as and where required, as indicated in figure 5.

(figures 7 & 8 indicate their position for "mono hull" craft, their relative position and length may require modification for other applications) The primary structure may also be strengthened by adding one or more construction tubes g, between the construction tubes c & d, their relative position is only indicated in figure 5.

4.0 MONO HULL APPLICATIONS To complete the craft construction for a mono hull configuration a "skin" is made of plywood, fiberglass & resin or other suitable material, between the construction tubes a, b & c, as indicated in figure 6.

In elevation the principle structural arrangement is as indicated in figure 7.

In plan the principle structural arrangement is as indicated in figure 8.

Other configurations are possible for the secondary and other structural arrangements depending on the specific purpose the craft is to be put to.

NOTE: The construction tubes a & b may also double as bouyancy tanks, ie by filling them with foam.

Areas A A and also B B may be made water tight compartments, adding to the crafts bouyancy and creating a larger safety margin.

5.0 MULTI-HULL APPLICATIONS For a multi-hull craft construction, the primary construction, construction tubes a & b would require to be larger than those for a mono hull craft and the relative size and position of the construction tubes c and d would depend on the specific design as shown in figure 5.

The secondary construction, construction tubes and other construction tubes would add strength and support the primary construction tubes a, b, c & d as applicable.

INDEX OF DRAWINGS figure 1 View of tubular construction material.

figure 2 Cross section of tubular construction material indicating the method of connecting the vertices.

figure 3 View of tubular construction indicating the attachment of glass fibre and resin.

figure 4 Cross section of tubular construction material indicating a method of construction.

figure 5 Cross section of the principal construction tubes.

figure 6 Cross section, indicating the attachment of the bottom of a mono hull craft.

figure 7 Side elevation, indicating the position of the primary and secondary construction tubes.

figure 8 Plan, indicating the position of the primary and secondary construction tubes.

Claims

1. A tubular construction unit of low density with a proportionally high strength

2. Tubular construction units with ease of attatchment into a framework configuration using interconnecting units

3. A construction unit with mechanical attributes directly suitable for light floating craft design

4. As for Claim 1 and, or Claim 2 but for purpose other than for craft design ie furnature or fittings

5. Claim 1 with low cost and general availability and ease of manufacture

6. A tubular framework and interconnection for universal floating craft design, suitable for many forms of craft

7. As for claim 6 but suitable for building at any level of competance from raw materials to construction unit assembly

8. A tubular design and construction of high strength and stability

9.As for claim 8 but with the tubular construction unit material mentioned in Claims 1. 2. a 3.

10. A material configuration of tubes and insections that allows ease of assembly and production of floating craft

11. a universal construction method that may be applied / designed for any class design of craft with the claims stated

12. The craft that are constructed as in claim 10 will conform to the claims 8 and 9

13. Craft designed using materials mentioned in claims 1, 2 and 3 are especially ergonomic if designed for sail applications

14. craft constructed by this method may , if built to a weight specification lighter than the actual craft gain stability by the addition of weights at a point or points most suitable

15. the crafts weight and strength allows craft of 15 to 20 feet (5-7 meters) ar less to be built, that may be lifted by one man

16. a design of craft of one to three man size allowing ease of handling out of the water (reducing personal injury)